HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that 40 of the 45 licensed elk hunters harvested an elk during the season that was held Nov. 3-8. Additionally, of the 10 licensed elk hunters who participated in the September season, two harvested an elk.

\”Elk are one of North America’s premier big game animals,\” Roe said. \”Pennsylvania is privileged to offer this unique hunting opportunity, a product of successful wildlife management that helps to finance wildlife conservation and supports Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage. It’s an unparalleled experience for hunters, particularly those who can’t afford to go on an expensive one- or two-week guided elk hunt out West.\”

Along with extracting samples needed for disease testing, the agency also collected samples necessary to examine food preferences and habitat use by elk. Also, hunters collected liver samples that will be evaluated for mineral contents.

The largest antlered elk was taken by Susan Luse, of Aaronsburg, Centre County. She took a 799-pound, 7×7 on Nov. 3, in Covington Township, Clearfield County.

Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest antlered elk harvested, were: William Kleppinger, of Quakertown, Bucks County, took a 653-pound, 7×7 on Nov. 3, in Bradford Township, Clearfield County; Tyler Rieder, of St. Marys, Elk County, took a 652-pound, 7×7 on Nov. 6, in Covington, Clearfield County; Darrel Maines, of North East, Erie County, took a 624-pound, 7×6 on Nov. 3, in Grove Township, Cameron County; and Kerry McAfoose, of Kittanning, Armstrong County, took a 591-pound, 7×7 on Nov. 4, in Benzette Township, Elk County.

The heaviest antlerless elk was taken by James Misti, of Lyndonville, New York, who harvested a 435-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 4, in West Keating, Clinton County.

Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest antlerless elk harvested were: Leroy Byler, of Mercer, Mercer County, who harvested a 409-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 6, in Benezette Township, Elk County; Thomas Williams, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, who harvested a 406-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 4, in Benezette Township, Elk County; Bernard Cossack, of Old Forge, Lackawanna County, who harvested a 400-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 5, in Benezette Township, Elk County; George Laudeman, of Minersville, Schuylkill County, who harvested a 395-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 3, in Gibson Township, Cameron County.

For the September 2008 hunt, which was held September 1-27, two elk were harvested. Dale Schmidt, of Germansville, Lehigh County, and Cark Kemp, of Leechburg, Armstrong County, each harvested an antlerless elk.

For more information on elk in Pennsylvania, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), choose \”Hunting,\” then click on the photograph of an elk.

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With her defense providing little resistance at times, Sweeney faced 10 Red Bank shots in the first half. Sadly for the Rams, it was one of the weaker ones that found the net, as Francesca Yaccarine got control of the ball in a huge scramble in front of their net and grounded it home for just her second goal of the year. She has 19 assists.

Red Bank Catholic will get a meeting with St. John Vianney, a 3-2 winner over Paul VI, in the South A final. Gloucester Catholic, meanwhile, will not get a shot at a third state crown in four years.

Gloucester Catholic senior Steve Bruno will be living out a dream that many other top athletes will experience today when he signs a college letter of intent.

Unlike many others, Bruno will still have to make decisions about his athletic future after he signs today (with Virginia on a baseball scholarship).